Garden briefs: April 17

Annual American Iris Society Iris Show: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Mesilla Valley Mall (near the theater entrance), 700 S. Telshor Blvd. The Mesilla Valley Iris Society is dedicating its 43rd annual American Iris Society Iris Show to the first responders in the Las Cruces community. Also the MVIS will be selling potted iris at $5 per pot. This is the perfect time to come and see the iris blooms and plan your colorful iris garden. Many of these iris rhizomes will be for sale at the fall rhizome sale on Sept. 10-11 at the Mesilla Valley Mall. Info: Ann, 575-639-1087.

UPCOMING

Lush and Lean Workshop: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 28 at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E. Picacho Ave. Presenter will be Ken Futrell, Ewing Irrigation, and topic will be How to Program an Irrigation Timer and a SMART Controller. Learn to program a controller correctly and know when to adjust it to use water efficiently. Free. Info: 575-528-3549 or las-cruces.org/waterconservation.

Gardening Class: 2 to 3 p.m. April 30 in the community room, Mountain View Market, 1300 El Paseo Road. Class presented by Jackye Meinecke, local gardening expert. Topic will be Native and Xeriscape Gardening. From water collection to native plants, discover the beauties of Southwest gardening. Cost is $10 and $8 for co-op members. Reservations are requested. Class size is limited. Reservation or info: 575-323-0903 or gardens@zianet.com.

Arbor Day Celebration: 9 a.m. to noon April 30 in the courtyard of the Branigan Cultural Center. 501 N. Main St. There will be a dedication by Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton, portrayed by New Mexico State University professor Dr. John Mexal, at 10:30 am. A free tree raffle will be at 11 am. Visitors must be present to win. Local organizations will have information tables and provide various activities. Info: Parks and Recreation Department, 575-541-2250.

Garden question hot line: The county Agricultural Extension Office maintains a hot line for county residents to answer questions and solve problems related to home gardening, including trees, lawns, shrubs, native plants, weeds and insects. The hot line is staffed by trained master gardeners each Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Info: 575-525-6649.